Comments about Edgar Albert Guest

I have and have read most of Mr. Guest's poems. I'm certain a lot would consider his work hackneyed and perhaps by to-days standard of poetry, some might agree. Edgar lived in a different time, a more simple, less complex and naive time in history. I read his work, with my head in my mother's era (1911) . Mr. Guest wrote with his heart and his soul and all of it made perfect sense. He was Detroit's poet laureate!

Not the “right of way” when driving, but the simple way of right and never once forgetting to be courteous and polite.
A little bit of patience as behind the wheel you sit and you’ll never lose a fender and a child you’ll never hit.

Oh, the worst of phrases ringing all through motordom today is that selfish bit of wording that is known as “right of way.”
It has filled the graves of many who have sped some road along, since death never asks the question, is the driver right or wrong.

Just a little thought for others, just remembering to be kind, just the willingness in traffic to slow down and stay behind.
Just the show of gracious manners which all gentle folks display, and all the accidents that happen will be fewer day by day.

Just control that flash of temper when another sounds his horn. In the car may be a mother soon to have her baby born.
Be considerate in your driving and be courteous and be kind, and you’ll reach your dwelling safely and you’ll keep your peace of mind.

I grew up listening to WJR radio out of Detroit; listening to Edgar A. Guest's son, Bud Guest was part of everyday life. I remember one of his dad's poems, 'Open-face Letters' as the earliest one I can recall. This man's poetry and his son's voice are some of the homey things from The Good Old Days. They influenced me to begin writing poetry, too. Although I ended up published with novels, I still write the occasional poem, partly due to the Guests.

See It Through

When you're up against a trouble, Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders, Plant your feet and take a brace. When it's vain to try to dodge it, Do the best that you can do; You may fail, but you may conquer, See it through! Black may be the clouds about you And your future may seem grim, But don't let your nerve desert you; Keep yourself in fighting trim. If the worst is bound to happen, Spite of all that you can do, Running from it will not save you, See it ...

On Quitting

How much grit do you think you've got? Can you quit a thing that you like a lot? You may talk of pluck; it's an easy word, And where'er you go it is often heard; But can you tell to a jot or guess Just how much courage you now possess? You may stand to trouble and keep your grin, But have you tackled self-discipline? Have you ever issued commands to you